Support for flexible awning covers



Aug, 30, 1960 H. s. DUNN SUPPORT FOR FLEXIBLE AWNING COVERS 2 SheetsSheet 1 Filed Nov. 27, 1959 (K F i 7 INVENTOR. HAROLD S. DUNN BY X A 'r ran/vs? Aug. 30, 1960 H. s. DUNN 2,950,727

SUPPORT FOR FLEXIBLE AWNING CQVERS Filed Nov. 27, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. HAROLD E DUNN 9 W, n. C20.

ATTORNEY rates Fatent 2,950,727 Patented Aug. 30, 1960 ace SUPPORT FER FLEmLE AWNING COVERS Harold S. Dunn, 163 Fiesta Way, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Filed Nov. 27, 1959, Ser. No. 855,615

7 Claims. (Cl. 135-5) This invention relates to supporting means for flexible canvas or the like that constitutes a covering for awning devices of the type normally constituting patio covers or die like and that provides for a supplemental support for the canvas covering that normally is supported upon pipe framing or other fixed framework.

Canvas .vnings are usually stretched over a supporting frame-work that may embody rafter forming pipe sections and the canvas has a tendency to flex under the influence of wind and eventually sags to form pockets into which rainwater will settle and to subsequently damage the canvas, creating a rotted condition and leakage. The purpose of this invention is to fully support the canvas covering in a substantially flat manner by the application of relatively thick expanded polystyrene panels that extend between the rafter pipe forming sections to closely underlie the canvas and with the panels being supported in a novel manner at their end portions upon the rafter of the awning frarne, thus providing a very desirable underlying support for the canvas that prevents flexing of the canvas and that will maintain the canvas in a substantially fiat manner over its entire area to facilitate drainage of water thererrom and to also prevent the whipping or flexing of the canvas, thus greatly extending the life of the awning.

A further object of the invention resides in disposing elatively thick expanded polystyrene panels in edge-toedge relation and with the ends of the panels being supported upon the rafter members by a novel form of saddle device that engages over the rafter.

Another and important object of the invention resides in connector bars that are extruded in a manner that provides oppositely extending channels that receive the marginal edges of canvas sections constituting the cover for the awning and with the connector bars being anchored at predetermined points throughout their length with respect to the saddles and the rafters and whereby the marginal edges of the canvas are disposed in the channels initially to have a relatively snug engagement therein whereby the operator may pull upon the canvas for its maximum extension after which, the channels are bent downwardly to bind upon the inserted portions of the canvas.

The invention provides a novel form of extruded connector bar that is coextensive with the outer frame members and with the bar having oppositely disposed cylindrical channels throughout their length and with each of the channels opening in opposite directions for receiving a hem portion of an awning section of canvas to be expanded into the channel by a cylindrical rod and with the channels being provided with longitudinally extending serrations that grip upon the canvas hems to a predetermined frictional engagement that permits a lateral sliding movement of the hem portion and with the marginal portions of the bars being bendable downwardly to firmly clamp the hem portions of the canvas sections after they have been fully extended across an opening.

Novel features of construction and operation of the device will be more clearly apparent during the course of the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein has been illustrated preferred forms of the device and wherein like characters of reference refer to like parts throughout the several figures.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a canvas covered awning embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken substantially on line 22 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a connector bar,

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a saddle device,

Figure 5 is a composite view illustrating the manner of inserting a folded hem portion Within the channels of the connector bars,

Figure 6 is an enlarged end view of a connector bar,

' and Figure 7 is an enlarged transverse section taken through a rafter forming member of modified form and showing the invention applied thereto.

Referring specifically to the drawings and particularly to Figures 1-6 inclusive, the numeral 5 designates an awning structure as a whole embodying leg portions 6, a cross frame member 7 and rafter forming members 8. The frame and the rafters are of conventional construction commonly employed in awning structures and is in the form of pipe sections. Disposed over the rafter forming pipes 8, are substantially U-shaped saddles 9. The saddles conform to the contour of the rafter and the leg portions of the saddles are provided with outwardly extending flanges 10. The saddles 9 extend for the full length of the rafters S and corresponding saddles, not shown, may be engaged with the outermost rafters S and the frame member 7 that are of substantially half sections of the saddles, since there will be no necessity for the flanges 10 outwardly of the perimeter of the awning structure. Supported upon the flanges 10 of adjacent rafters, are relatively thick expanded polystyrene panels 11. The panels 11 permit a certain degree of light transmission but also provide a very definite heat insulation medium beneath the canvas covering to be described.

Fixedly connected to the tops of the rafters 8 and also around the perimeter of the support, are preferably aluminum extruded connector bars 12. The bars 12 are co-extensive with the several frame members and the rafter members and constitute a connector for the marginal edges of canvas sections 13. Each of the bars 12 have a central web portion 14 that is arcuately formed upon its bottom to conform to the contour of the overlying saddles 9. Each of the bars 12 are extruded to form cylindrical channels 15, having their inner Walls longitudinally serrated at 16. The channels 15 open upon the marginal edges of the bars 12 for receiving a hem portion 17 of the canvas sections 13. The hems 17 are formed by folding the canvas upon itself for insertion through the slots 12; of the bars and after insertion, preferably aluminum rods 19 are inserted through the hems to force the hems into slight frictional engagement with the serrations 16. The initial engagement of the hems into the channels permit of the canvas being drawn outwardly to a taut position to span a respective opening of the structure. The several bars 12, the head portion of the saddle 9 and the frame members 7 and 8 are drilled to receive self-threading screws 20 and whereby the bars are fixedly connected to the structure. With the awning sections 13 being drawn taut, the upper marginal portions of the bars are then bent downwardly to firmly clamp the hems 17 into binding engagement with the serrations 16, effectively preventing movement of the hems from the channels. The screws 20 are placed at spaced apart points throughout the lengths of the bars 12.

. 3 In the use of this form of the invention, the several saddle members 9 are installed in overlying relation to the rafters 8 and a section of the saddles 9 are extended along theend rafters 8 and the frame member 7g The panels. 11 arethen installed in resting engagement upon the flanges of the saddles, providing a substantially iigidroof structure. The bars 12. are then connected upon the tops of the several members and secured by the screws 20. Hems 17 are then formed and engaged through'the slots 18 and the rods 9 then inserted through the hems to force the hems into slight frictional engagement with the serrations 16; Thecanvas sections 13 are then drawn relatively'taut and the marginal edges of the bar then bent downwardly to bind the hems 17 securely Within. the channels 15. The outer channels of the outermost bars 12 may receive valance sections of canvas 21, that are secured in the outermost channels in a similar manner. Referring to Figure 7, there has been provided an awning frame support having extruded hollow rectangular beams 22. The beams 22 constitute the rafters and may. also constitute the entire frame structure of the awning support. Connected to the sides of the rafters 22' are elongated angle brackets 23, that are connected to the rafter in any desirable manner. Adapted to rest upon the brackets 23, are relatively thick expanded polystyrene panels- 24, corresponding to the panels described in the first 'form of the device. The flat tops of the rafters 22 may be provided with laterally extending plates 25 that overlie the tops of the panels 24. The plates 25 may be secured to the tops of the rafters 22 in any desirable manner. The brackets 23 and the plates 25 are co-extensive with the rafters 22. The panels 24 may be engaged with the brackets 23 throughout the area of the structure and the plates 25 afterward being connected to the tops of the rafters to extend outwardly and overlie the panels 24 so that the panels are held against vertical shifting movement. Connected to the tops of the rafters 22, as by the screws 20', are connector bars 12', similar to that previously dflcribed. The bottom of the bar 12' is formed flat for a flat contacting engagement with the tops of the rafters 22. The connector bars 12 are provided with channels that receive the hem portions 17' of the canvas awning sections 13' in a manner similar to that previously described. The rafters 22 may be fixedly spaced apart by extruded hollow rectangular purlins 26. In operation, this modified construction functions substantially identical to that previously described but has omitted the saddles 9.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a very novel form of awning structure has been provided. The

use of thepanels 11 and 24 function to sunport a canvas section 13 and 13' against flexing and maintains the canvas-in a relatively taut condition that permits ready drainage of water therefrom. While the panels 11 and 24 function primarily to support the canvas, they also permrt of a relatively high degree of light transmission and provide insulation to 'the enclosed area against heat.

The connector bars 12 function to connect the canvas sections 13 and 13' in a novel manner, eliminating all stitching that has been common with respect to canvas awnings supported upon pipe framing. The forming of the bars 12 of aluminum to permit their marginal portions to be bent downwardly readily to bind the hems of the canvas sections securely within the channels 15, successfully retarding stretching of the canvas that would permit sagging and the forming of undesirable water pockets. The device is simple in construction, is strong,

durable, quickly and easily installed and provides a roof structure having all of the characteristics in appearance to a conventional canvas awning.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction shown, but that changes are contemplated as readily fall within the spirit. of the-i 1- 4 vention as shall be determined by the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Supporting means for flexible covers of the type that are supported upon a relatively rigid frame that includes perimeter frame members and spaced apart parallel rafters, comprising relatively thick panels of expanded polystyrene thatare supported at their margins upon the rafters and'the end perimeter members, the panels being supported at an elevation to closely underlie the flexible covering, connector bars secured to the tops of the rafters and the perimeter frame members to be co-extensive in length therewith, the covering comprising sections of canvas or the like that are generally rectangular in shape and means formed upon the connector bars that clamp the marginal edges of the sections. 7

2. Supporting means for flexible canvas or the like covering that constitutes the roof for framed-in areas such as patios, swimming pools or. the like, a supportmg frame for the canvas that comprises perimeter frame members and spaced apart parallel rafters, saddle devices that overlie the rafters and the frame members, the saddles each being provided with lower outwardly directed flanges, panels that comprise'sheets of relatively thick expanded polystyrene that extend across the openings between adjacent rafters and to have their edge portions in resting support upon the flanges of the saddles, connector bars secured to the tops of the several rafters and the perimeter frame members to be co-extensive n length therewith, the bars being channeled along their marginal edges, the covering being sections of canvas or the'like that substantially conform to the openings between the rafters, the marginal edges of the sections being engaged in the channels and with the marginal portions of the bars being bendable downwardly to clamp the edges of'the sections against shifting, the said panels being of a thickness whereby their upper surfaces closely underlies the canvas sections when the panels are supported upon the flanges of the saddles.

3. The structure according to claim 2, wherein the frame members and the rafters are cylindrical pipe sections, the said saddles being of U-shape and rounded to conform to the curvature of the pipes and with depending leg portions having the flanges at their lower endsthat project in opposite directions from the rafters to receive the polystyrene panels, the said bars overlying the tops of the saddles and with the bars and the saddles being secured to the rafters and the frame members by common connecting screws.

4. The structure according to claim 2, wherein the connector bars are extruded from aluminum, the said channels of the bars being cylindrical and with the channels opening in opposite directions to receive the marginal portions of the canvas sections, the inner surfaces of the channels being longitudinally serrated.

5. The structure according to claim 4, wherein the marginal portions of the canvas sections are folded upon themselves to form a tubular hem, the hem being 1n- .serted through the openings of the channels, the hems being expanded against the serrations by a rod that engages through the hem for its full length, the engagement of the hem with the serrations being initially frictional whereby the canvas sections may be shifted to a taut condition to engage a channel of a next adjacent and opposed channel, the bending of the marginal edges of the bar firmly clamping the hem and the rod whereby to firmly hold the canvas sections against shifting. a

6. A supporting'structure for flexible covers, such as awning covers or the like and whereby the cover is adapted to be extended over a rigid frame, comprising a supporting frame structure including perimeter frame members and spaced apart parallel rafters, the rafters being of extruded hollow rectangular shape in cross-section, angle brackets fixedly connected to the opposite sides of the rafters substantially intermediate their height to be co-extensive in length therewith, panels of rectangular form that are adapted to have their opposite marginal edge portion supported upon the angle brackets of adjacent rafters, the panels being formed of expanded polystyrene and having a thickness whereby their upper faces are substantially flush with the tops of the rafters, longitudinally extending plates secured to the top of and at each side of the rafters and that project outwardly to partially overlie the marginal edge portions of the panels, extruded connector bars that are co-extensive in length with the rafters, the bars being secured to the tops of the rafters intermediate their width, each of the bars along their marginal edges being cylindrically grooved to receive a marginal hem portion of a section of canvas to be supported, the canvas as supported by the bars having References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 510,920 Leonard Dec. 19, 1893 2,388,297 Slaughter Nov. 6, 1945 2,730,772 Jones Jan. 17, 1956 2,889,840 McIlwaine June 9, 1959 

